South St. Paul is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States, immediately south and southeast of St. Paul and east of West St. Paul. The population was 20,759 at the 2020 census. The town was a major meat-packing location, and many residents are descended from immigrants of Southern European and Eastern European heritage, who came to work in the meat-packing plants in the early twentieth century.
A post office called "South St. Paul" has been in operation since 1888. The city was named based on its location, south of St. Paul.
There is a high school and middle school called "South St. Paul Secondary", who is home to the South St. Paul Packers.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , of which is land, and is water.
Interstate Highway 494, U.S. Highway 52, and Dakota County Road 56 are three of the major routes that traverse South St. Paul. It is home to a small general aviation airport, Fleming Field.
The main industry historically was the Saint Paul Union Stockyards. The two largest companies and employers in the town during the time of peak stockyard operations were Swift's & Company and Armour Meats.
Since 2008, the stockyards have been closed, and much of the area is now being redeveloped.